This is a little bit longer psalm, but there are so many nuggets here. I don’t know about you, but I underline favorite passages in my Bible, write notes, make asterisks, and even use highlighter. Then as I read the passage over and over, I can see what spoke to me on a previous occasion. I always love when I find pen notes surrounding a certain verse. This psalm has lots of notations!
My take away from today’s psalm is don’t worry about the wicked, for they will soon be destroyed. Instead concentrate on being godly, for the godly are taken care of by God and have a secure future. And what does being godly mean exactly? We could try to define it in our own terms and understanding, but perhaps a better way would be to go back to the psalm and see what attributes we find there.
Verses 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are truly the beautiful picture of what we should do to be godly. How we should think, who we should trust, what we should do. How are you doing on the “godly scale”? It’s not a contest, but I think it is something we should focus on. Our reward for godly living is a future greater than we can imagine, and verse 23 and 24 are a beautiful promise of what God is doing for us now.
While we are to encouraged to be godly and not evil, we can’t help but look around our world today and see evil running rampant. It’s hard for me to imagine God “laughing” (v. 13) at this, but then their judgment is coming, and that is a matter between them and God. We do sometimes feel separated from the atrocities of war and religious battles as we hear of Christians around the globe being persecuted. This psalm is a good reminder that God is in control and the evil will not prevail forever.
So what can we do in our own personal life to be more godly? Are there ways we can be of help to those suffering persecution?
Let’s pray. Lord, I pray protect for all your followers today, especially those in harm’s way. It’s a scary world, and I pray for your peace to flow to those cowering in fear. Help them feel safe in your fortress and may they call upon you for the shelter only you can provide. May we all find rest in your arms as we strive to trust you fully and stir in us the yearning to be your godly followers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
